The Consolidation of the Library System at the Freie Universität Berlin

2 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Consolidation of the library system

• Integration of independend libraries and

holdings in separate locations

• Unification of classification

• Standardization of library workflows

• Standardization of library services

• Consolidation of personnel

administration

…. in one of the biggest library systems in Germany

3 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Historical Background

• Dahlem: research location since about 1900

4 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Historical Milestones of Consolidation

1948 Foundation of Freie Universität

department libraries +

“Bibliotheksleitstelle“ (coordination

office)

Traditional two-tier system

1954 University Library

moves into own building

1990 start of computer-based cataloguing

1991 Library system with 25 divisions

1999 Integrated Library System ALEPH

500

Re-structuring of the library system:

UB + 10 divisions

aspiring to one-tier system

5 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Historical Milestones of Consolidation

2001 Integration of 8 Biology Institute

Libraries into one library at the

Botanic Garden

2003 Charité Universitätsmedizin

separated

2005 Philological Library:

11 departmental libraries

2008 5 Libraries integrated into Social

Sciences and East European

Studies Library

2007-11 Conversion of catalog records

2007 Library portal Primo

2015 Campus Library for Sciences,

Cultural Studies, Education,

Mathematics, Computer Science

ans Psychology

2015 Concentration of the personnel

administration

6

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

1970 1985 1995 2000 2003 2005 2010 2015

Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Fusion of libraries and holdings

Number of libraries

7 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Libraries on Dahlem Campus 2002

(Plan von Dörte Braune-Egloff, gezeigt in der

Ausstellung: 50 Jahre Universitätsbibliothek der

Freien Universität Berlin, 1.3. – 26.4.2002)

8 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Libraries on Dahlem Campus 2015

(Plan von Dörte Braune-Egloff, gezeigt in der

Ausstellung: 50 Jahre Universitätsbibliothek der

Freien Universität Berlin, 1.3. – 26.4.2002)

9 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Simplification of classification scemes

• Regensburg Classification RVK

• Universal classification for academic libraries introduced in Bavaria 1964

• Useful for open display-shelving

• Facilitates orientation and cross-disciplinary research

• Applied in: University Library (reading room), Philological Library, Campus Library,

Law (partly), Social Sciences (reading room, Journals), Art History (Art of Africa)

10 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Standardization of library-oriented workflows

• Introduction of the library-management system Aleph (ExLibris) and OPAC in 1999

• Data transfer from other electronic catalogues (Physics Library, Education Library)

• Retro-cataloguing of printed catalogs

• Joint cataloguing of journal holdings

• University Library responsible for central editing and for providing data to national

journal database (ZDB)

• Introduction of computer-based (Aleph) circulation in department libraries (without

harmonization of loan conditions!)

11 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Standardization of library services

• Joint student training (citation rules, general professional skills courses)

• Biblio Blog

• Chat (in progress)

• Delivery service for returned items

• Harmonization of lending conditions (coming up with Alma)

• Harmonization of opening hours

12 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

Unification of personal administration

• About 300 employees in 9 different administrative units at FU

Insufficient control of recruitment

No staff development

Consistent administration impossible

• Since 2015 personnel administration under response of the UB

Implementation personnel-demands formula (2009-2016)

Human-resources development -> retaining qualified staff and staff trained at FU

All recruitment processes managed by UB

• Improved connection between University Library and other library units

Joint staff training

Regular meetings

13 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

The Library System today

Library

system

Law

Economics

Social Sciences

Eastern Europe

Studies

Philologies

Philosophy

History History of

Arts

Veterinary medicine

Botanic Museum

Biology of Plants

Geo- Sciences

University

library

Medicine

(zur Charité:

FU&HU)

+

14 Das Bibliothekssystem der Freien Universität Berlin

End

Thank you for your attention

….and thanks to Anna Kaiser and Sean Nowak